Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Themba Hadebe/AP/Press Association Images

Oscar Pistorius was 'broken, desperate, pleading' after he shot Reeva Steenkamp

The murder trial resumed in South Africa this morning.

OSCAR PISTORIUS’S MURDER trial resumed this morning with a neighbour and friend giving a heart-wrenching account of finding the “broken” athlete coming down the stairs, holding his dead girlfriend in his arms.

After a two-week break in the trial, the Pistorius defence called Johan Stander, the first man to arrive at the crime scene after the Paralympic gold medalist shot his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day last year.

“Oom (Afrikaans for uncle) Johan, please, please, please come to my house, I shot Reeva,” Stander says Pistorius told him over the phone.

When he arrived at Pistorius’s upmarket Pretoria home, Stander described seeing the athlete carrying Steenkamp, a 29-year-old model and law graduate, down the stairs.

“He was screaming, he was crying, he was praying,” said Stander, a man with grey hair and glasses who spoke in a hoarse voice.

The expression on his face, an expression of sorrow, an expression of pain, he’s crying, he’s praying. It was as if he was torn apart.

Stander, who said he considered himself a friend of 27-year-old Pistorius, said the night was not something he would want to experience again.

Pistorius was “broken, desperate, pleading,” said Stander.

How he begged God to keep her alive. I saw the truth that morning, I saw it and I feel it.

Defence on the attack

Pistorius’s lawyers will spend at least the next two weeks trying to firm up the athlete’s account of the killing and counter the state’s claim he shot his girlfriend after an argument.

Under days of ferocious cross-examination last month, Pistorius appeared to change his defence, casting doubt on his credibility.

The runner initially told the court that he shot Steenkamp through a locked toilet door, thinking she was an intruder coming to attack him in the dead of night.

But buckling under pressure, the Paralympian – who soared to international fame as the first double-amputee to run against able-bodied athletes at the 2012 London Olympics – changed his testimony to say he fired the four shots accidentally.

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel has accused the athlete of “tailoring” his evidence, calling his account of the killing “a lie”.

“Your version… is a lie,” said Nel, who has earned himself the moniker “pit bull” because of his aggressive style of questioning.

Beginning his cross-examination of Stander, Nel him if Pistorius ever said to him if he shot the so-called intruder by mistake.

“He never said I accidentally shot her,” said Nel. “He said…thought she was an intruder.”

Pistorius, nicknamed the Blade Runner, faces up to 25 years in prison if he is found guilty of premeditated murder.

He fired four bullets through a lavatory door, killing Steenkamp who was in the cubicle inside the athlete’s house in an upmarket housing complex in the capital Pretoria.

Prosecutors have argued that the Valentine’s Day shooting came after a row between the couple who had been dating for around three months.

Among the witnesses expected to give evidence this week is a psychologist who will speak to the athlete’s physical vulnerability, after details emerged in court of his obsession with guns.

At times, the world famous sprinter has wept and retched in court, in a trial that is being broadcast live on television.

His emotional outbursts, including loud wailing and sobbing on several occasions forced presiding judge Thokozile Masipa to halt the proceedings to allow Pistorius to compose himself.

© AFP, 2014

At least 12 more witnesses to give evidence as Oscar Pistorius trial resumes

Explainer: Why do they keep saying ‘My Lady’ at the Oscar Pistorius trial?

Read: Nine ‘hairialists’ injured in circus fall 

Author
View 22 comments
Close
22 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Audrius Neviera
    Favourite Audrius Neviera
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 11:15 AM

    I heard a funny noise whilst in bed last night so I jumped up and did all the usual stuff – checked the front door, checked the windows, shot my girlfriend five times, checked the back door.

    Turns out there was no one there.

    319
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Ryan
    Favourite Alan Ryan
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 11:13 AM

    Guilty.

    126
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute TOP CAT
    Favourite TOP CAT
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 11:20 AM

    Pistorius should be in the running for an Oscar,
    His performance has being that good so far…

    117
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute clive guthrie
    Favourite clive guthrie
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 11:55 AM

    I always believed in “innocent until proven guilty” but this Guy’s story of events is a joke! He should do the right thing and stop further hurt to the victims family. I’m convinced the right verdict will be given.

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Fogarty
    Favourite John Fogarty
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 1:15 PM

    not too long ago i kicked my dog in anger and i felt terrible over it and i was upset about it but that does not mean that i didnt do it. So much for what father and daughter said today poor poor oscar was upset and crying i would say he was when he saw he had shot her to pieces with his special expandable bullets that rip a person apart on entry. POOR POOR OSCAR

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Eric Lensherr
    Favourite Eric Lensherr
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 12:37 PM

    Pistorius is incredibly arrogant and heartless to think that he can or should get away with this. His story is ridiculous to the point of insanity.

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kevin Brady
    Favourite Kevin Brady
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 12:21 PM

    im starvin. why do chinese takeaways open at 5?

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
    Favourite Daisy Chainsaw
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 3:46 PM

    I can’t believe anyone is buying Pistorious’ hysteria and puking act. Five year olds are more convincing.

    53
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Timmytime
    Favourite Timmytime
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 1:24 PM

    I had read recently that a lot of the South African public actually think he’s going to get away with it. She did have her phone in he bathroom with her, didn’t she? – That alone would lead you to believe there had been some kind of bust up. How long has this trial been going on?

    45
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Dude
    Favourite The Dude
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 7:39 PM

    Phone in the bathroom means nothing, sure I always play ‘words with friends’ while I’m on the toilet, its where i get my best words.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Bergin
    Favourite Joe Bergin
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 12:50 PM

    I was on a long jury trial once. You must listen to all the evidence before judging….of course I am not on this maggot’s jury and I have heard as much as I feel I need to…..

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tomtoms
    Favourite Tomtoms
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 6:06 PM

    There is no jury in the OP case. Also…did ye know the judge is a former social worker and specialised in domestic violence as a barrister. I’m confident she knows what she’s doing.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Life-Saver FirstAid Courses
    Favourite Life-Saver FirstAid Courses
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 11:23 AM

    What was his motive though?

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Ryan
    Favourite Alan Ryan
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 11:26 AM

    Anger.

    93
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Life-Saver FirstAid Courses
    Favourite Life-Saver FirstAid Courses
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 11:29 AM

    But when I’m angry I don’t usually shoot people?

    32
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dee Ní Mhuirí
    Favourite Dee Ní Mhuirí
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 11:50 AM

    Wel, if you were wondering why you’re not on trial for murder, I think you’ve found your answer..

    109
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel Griffin
    Favourite Noel Griffin
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 11:52 AM

    When I’m angry, everyone be thankful I don’t have a gun!

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Ward
    Favourite John Ward
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 12:04 PM

    Is there reasonable doubt?

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ray Dempsey
    Favourite Ray Dempsey
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 1:45 PM

    They have to find the dogs first

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barney r
    Favourite Barney r
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 2:04 PM

    Only two direct witness to what happened, one died i think the other will walk.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sandra Pearce
    Favourite Sandra Pearce
    Report
    May 5th 2014, 11:23 PM

    This guy is so guilty,and that witness 2day who cried in the dock is a shameful actress

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vic
    Favourite Vic
    Report
    May 6th 2014, 1:24 AM

    Where they really only together 3 months? If so I know people have questioned why she would lock the door but if they were only together such a short time she might have been embarrassed if he walked in on her using it.

    What ever went on that night he definitely intended to kill someone though.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds